#ETH Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. It was proposed in late 2013 by Vitalik Buterin and went live on July 30, 2015. Its native cryptocurrency is Ether (ETH), which is used to pay for transactions, computational services, and as a medium of exchange.

Key Features of Ethereum:

1. Smart Contracts: Self-executing contracts with the terms directly written in code. They run automatically on the blockchain without the need for intermediaries.

2. Decentralized Applications (dApps): Applications that operate on the Ethereum network, offering transparency, security, and resistance to censorship.

3. Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM): A Turing-complete virtual machine that executes smart contracts and ensures consensus across the network.

4. Proof-of-Stake (PoS): Following the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade (The Merge), the network transitioned from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to PoS, making it more energy-efficient.

5. ERC Standards: Ethereum defines token standards like ERC-20 (fungible tokens) and ERC-721 (non-fungible tokens, NFTs), which have become widely adopted.